Indiana University has been awarded nearly $1 million by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s 2023 College Success Program grant.

In line with the Student Success and Opportunity goals in IU 2030, the funding will support 12 full-time, dedicated student success coaches focused on our 21st Century Scholars. These coaches will be placed across all IU campuses and regional centers and in IU’s online education program, Vice President for Student Success Julie Payne-Kirchmeier said.

“We are grateful to the ICHE for awarding Indiana University this important resource,” she said. “These success coaches will serve as both consistent and caring advocates for our 21st Century Scholars during their time at IU, and positively impact our scholars’ engagement, learning and growth. We appreciate our partners at ICHE for identifying this need, and we know this will truly make a difference for our students.”

Campuses and units who will receive a success coach are IU Bloomington, IU Indianapolis, IU Columbus, IU East, IU Fort Wayne, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, IU Southeast and IU Online.

Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery said the commission launched its strategic priorities last year to address college enrollment, completion and graduate retention.

“The College Success Program is one of our intentional strategic approaches to partnering with institutions to address the challenges in the education-to-workforce pipeline and amplify the impact of proven programs such as the 21st Century Scholars and Frank O’Bannon Grant,” he said. “This will remove barriers that especially affect first-generation and low-income students.”

The College Success Program grant is funded under House Enrolled Act 1001-2023. The initial program will run from Nov. 1, 2023, through Oct. 31, 2024, with opportunities to extend the grant pending review of the State Budget Committee.